Elephant Butte Balloon Regatta is an annual hot-air balloon festival in Elephant Butte, New Mexico. The event gathers thousands of people from the state and the entire country. Besides the gorgeous Southwestern views, there are many activities to engage in at the fest. For three days, you’ll have an opportunity to get acquainted with how the balloons work, go on tethered rides in one of them, watch the nighttime Balloon Glow show, and just have fun with your loved ones.
Admission to the festival is free, but you’ll have to pay for the state park entrance and additional tethered rides ($20 for kids and $25 for adults). We strongly advise that you book your housing in advance (the town gets super busy this time of year) and follow the event’s official website for any possible updates.
